Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched an ambitious campaign ´Make in India´, which aims to turn the country into a global manufacturing hub. The campaign projects India as an investment destination and develop, promote and market India as a leading manufacturing destination and as a hub for design and information.

Among the major global markets for construction equipment, the demand of construction equipment in China suffered a steep decline after peaking in 2011. This trend continued in 2014; however, future demand forecast is expected to be stable.

In July 2014, the current government presented its first budget which was predominantly growth-oriented. The announcements made in the budget represented measures to tame inflation and provide a boost to investments in manufacturing and infrastructure sector.

The need for better infrastructure is pressing with India´s rapid urbanisation and burgeoning middle class. Some 590 million people will live in cities by 2030, and could account for 70 per cent of Indian GDP, according to a McKinsey report.

Coal India (CIL) envisages setting up 16 washeries out of which, six are in BCCL in Jharkhand, four in MCL in Odisha, three in CCL in Jharkhand, one in ECL in West Bengal and two in SECL in Chhattisgarh.

The slowdown in infrastructure development, a major driver for the construction equipment industry, had resulted in reduced demand in recent years. However, with a new stable government in place, infrastructure development is expected to be back on the fast track soon.

India is the third-largest producer of coal in the world and has the fourth-largest reserves, with coal accounting for about 67 per cent of the total energy consumption in India. Since coal plays such a significant role in supporting India´s energy needs, its efficient mining assumes great importance for mining companies.

Manitou´s MRT series privilege plus rotating telescopic handlers received a 2014 ´Leadership in Lifting Equipment and Access Platforms´award, known as the LLEAP award, in the category of material handling from Lift and Access magazine.